Life — July 1, 1909 — page 27: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

ANNUAL SACRIFICE The REG, the man who had once been a burglar, had been honest so long that the memory of his past was begin- g to grow dim He worked day in and day out at his trade as cobbler— one that he had learned in prison—and picked up enough to keep him going He had been out for five years—was it long enough for a cure?-—when one day he keeled over. There was something the matter with him. The bartender on the corner sent for the ambulance, and they carted Greg off to the hospital on the hill, to be straight- way examined by Dr. Dagget, who was easily the best surgeon in Twendale. He not only had a large and extensive practice, but he was the chief factor in the hospital, which had grown under his care to be a model and effective institution. It happened to be in the morning. The doctor made his examination of Greg, then hurried back to his office. Finish- ing up his office practice, he straightway went upstairs into his wife’s'room. There was a slightly puzzled look upon his face. Asa rule, he never talked his cases over with his wife. This was the inevitable exception, however. “A man was brought in carly to-day with an abscess on his brain,” he said. “He'll die, if it isn’t located. I can’t locate it “Who is he?" asked Mrs. Dagget “Oh, he’s a plain, ordinary human being; a tough char- acter. I guess. They brought him from the other side of the Italian district. I understand that he's served a term in jail That's of no consequence, however. I'd like to trepine him, for the fun of curing him, but—well, I can’t locate it.” “Why don’t you telephone in to Dr. Olsen in the city. He's a brain specialist, isn’t he? I know you've had him before.” Doctor’s Reward That’s just what I did do—and he wouldn't come.”* Why not? othing in it to make a trip out of town It’s a charity case, you see. He'd have He’s too busy.”’ The doctor's wife shrugged her shoulders slightly. She had lived in the medical atmosphere long cnough to under stand certain things. “Well,” she said reflectively, “ him. Why should he? You've had to give up charity cases yourself She looked at her husband again “You didn’t like it, though, did you?" she said smiling. “Tt has ruffled you. It has irritated you to think Olsen I don’t know as I blame There's a limit to what a man can do." should have refused.”” “Why shouldn't it? just on my sa iat.” Dr. Dagget, as he thought over the affair, was growing He ought to have come anyway— used to being turned down like more angry all the time. Being a doctor, he was used to having his own way. Patients hung on Mis words. The wealthiest and most powerful people in the community: fairly cringed before him. When it was known that he was to per- form a big operation all the doctors in the neighborhood gathered to see him do it. He was, in truth, the biggest toad in the puddle. Logically speaking, he knew that there was no particular reason why the big city specialist should spend his time over a suburban charity case, but sor had been hurt by Olsen's refusal with him “That man’s got to be saved," he exelai clutching his cigar, “and I'l do it." With this he turned on his heel, left his wife to resume her how his pride He hungered to get even d, savagely comicbooks.com